JP6252211B2 - Air conditioning system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning system capable of heating a room.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an air conditioning system that includes a heat pump and a gas furnace as heat source devices and performs indoor heating.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-54160), when the outside air temperature is relatively low, the gas furnace is operated to ensure the heating capacity, and when the outside air temperature is relatively high, It has been proposed to control the heat pump to increase the operating efficiency.

  However, in the example shown in Patent Document 1 as described above, when the outside air temperature is relatively low, the gas furnace is always operated (for example, Step 40 to Step 41 in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1). reference).

  For this reason, in the example described in Patent Document 1, not only when the outside air temperature is relatively low and the heating load is large, but also when the outside air temperature is relatively low but the heating load is small, the gas furnace is Will be driven.

  If the gas furnace is operated even when the outside air temperature is relatively low but the heating load is small, it is not possible to secure an opportunity to perform an efficient operation using a heat pump. Therefore, the set temperature is reached, and the switching frequency of the gas furnace operation stop is unnecessarily increased.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the point mentioned above, The subject of this invention provides the air-conditioning system which can process a heating load using either a heat pump or a gas furnace, and can improve operating efficiency There is to do.

  An air conditioning system according to a first aspect is an air conditioning system capable of heating a room, and includes a heat pump, a gas furnace, a blower, and a control unit. The heat pump includes a refrigerant radiator and a compressor capable of capacity control. The gas furnace includes a combustion heater. The blower blows air that has passed through the radiator and the heater into the room. The control unit controls the heat pump and the gas furnace so that the operation of both the heat pump and the gas furnace is stopped when the set temperature condition is satisfied, and then the heat pump and the heat pump based on the operation history information when the operation restart condition is satisfied. Select one of the gas furnaces to resume operation.

  In this air conditioning system, maintain the set temperature while repeating the state where the set temperature condition is satisfied and the operation is stopped (when the thermo is off) and the condition where the operation is resumed and the operation is restarted (when the thermo is on). In the air conditioning system, it is possible to improve the coefficient of performance (COP) by determining the equipment to be operated when the thermo is on based on the history information so that the heating load can be processed with less energy. .

  The air conditioning system according to the second aspect is the air conditioning system according to the first aspect, and the operation history information includes the latest type information. The latest type information is information for specifying one of the types of the heat pump and the gas furnace that are being operated when the latest set temperature condition is satisfied.

  In this air conditioning system, the load when the operation restart condition is satisfied is assumed based on the information specifying either the heat pump or the gas furnace that has been operated when the most recent set temperature condition is satisfied. Can do. With this assumed load, it is possible to select a device to be operated when resuming operation so that the heating load can be processed with less energy.

  The air conditioning system according to the third aspect is the air conditioning system according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the operation history information includes transition information. The transition information is information regarding operation when the set temperature condition is satisfied and when the operation resumption condition is satisfied thereafter, and is information for a plurality of consecutive past times including the latest.

  In this air conditioning system, it is possible to predict the load when the operation resumption condition is satisfied based on transition information that is information regarding a plurality of continuous operations including the latest. For this reason, it becomes possible to select the device to be operated when the operation is resumed so as to correspond to the load predicted based on the transition information.

  The air conditioning system which concerns on a 4th viewpoint is an air conditioning system which concerns on either of the 1st viewpoint to the 3rd viewpoint, Comprising: Period information is contained in the operation history information. The cycle information does not include information for specifying one of the types of the heat pump and the gas furnace that were operating when the most recent set temperature condition was satisfied. The cycle information includes information for specifying one of the types of the heat pump and the gas furnace that have been operated at a time older than at least the most recent set temperature condition.

  In this air conditioning system, it is possible to predict the load when the operation resumption condition is satisfied based on periodic information composed of old information other than the latest information. For this reason, it becomes possible to select the apparatus operated at the time of resumption of operation so that it may respond to the load predicted based on period information.

  The air conditioning system according to the fifth aspect is the air conditioning system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and when the heating load can be processed only by the heat pump, only the heat pump is operated without operating the gas furnace. When the heating load cannot be processed only by the heat pump, only the gas furnace is operated without operating the heat pump.

  In this air conditioning system, when the outside air temperature is high, the operation efficiency can be increased by preferentially using the heat pump.

  In the air conditioning system according to the first aspect, the coefficient of performance (COP) can be improved.

  In the air conditioning system according to the second aspect, it is possible to select a device to be operated at the time of restarting operation based on a load when an assumed operation restart condition is satisfied.

  In the air conditioning system according to the third aspect, it is possible to select a device to be operated when resuming operation so as to respond to a load predicted based on the transition information.

  In the air conditioning system according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to select a device to be operated when resuming operation so as to respond to a load predicted based on the period information.

  In the air conditioning system according to the fifth aspect, when the outside air temperature is high, the operation efficiency can be increased by preferentially using the heat pump.

It is the schematic which shows the example of installation to the building of the air system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the air conditioning system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block block diagram of the air conditioning system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart in the case of performing the air_conditionaing | cooling operation at the time of starting using the air conditioning system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart in the case of performing the air_conditionaing | cooling operation at the time of operation resumption using the air conditioning system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart in the case of performing the heating operation at the time of starting using the air conditioning system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart in the case of performing the heating operation at the time of resumption of operation using the air-conditioning system concerning this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an outdoor unit of a refrigeration apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Installation Example of Air Conditioning System 100 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment is installed on a building 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a circuit and the like of the air conditioning system 100. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of the air conditioning system 100.

  The building 1 in the example in which the air conditioning system 100 is installed is a house having a first room 2a and a second room 2b on the first floor, a third room 2c and a fourth room 2d on the second floor, a basement 2e, and a ceiling back 2f. is there.

  Among these, the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 mentioned later is installed in the basement 2e. Moreover, the outdoor unit 70 which is a part of the heat pump unit 6 described later is installed outside the building 1.

  The conditioned air produced by the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 in the basement 2e passes through the air supply duct 31 provided so as to extend from the air outlet side of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30. It is supplied to the room 2b, the third room 2c, and the fourth room 2d, respectively. Specifically, the air supply duct 31 is configured such that the side opposite to the air outlet side of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 is branched into a plurality of parts, and the first outlet branch part 31a which is a part of the branch part is provided. The second blowout branch portion 31b, which is located in the first room 2a and is part of the branch portion, is located in the second chamber 2b, and the third blowout branch portion 31c that is part of the branch portion is The 4th blowing branch part 31d which is located in the 3rd room 2c and is a part of a branch part is located in the 4th room 2d.

  Further, the air to be harmonized by the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 is collected from each of the first room 2a, the second room 2b, the third room 2c, and the fourth room 2d via the return air duct 39. Specifically, the return air duct 39 is configured such that the side opposite to the suction port side of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 is branched into a plurality of parts, and the first suction branch part 39a which is a part of the branch part is provided. The second suction branch part 39b, which is located in the first room 2a and is part of the branch part, is located in the second room 2b, and the third suction branch part 39c which is part of the branch part is The fourth suction branch part 39d, which is located in the third room 2c and is a part of the branch part, is located in the fourth room 2d.

(2) Schematic configuration of air-conditioning system 100 The air-conditioning system 100 is a system for producing temperature-controlled air and supplying it to the air-conditioning target space. The fan unit 40, the heat pump unit 6, the gas furnace unit 50, The control interface 10, the indoor temperature sensor 62, the main controller 20, the above-described air supply duct 31, the return air duct 39, and the like are included.

  Among these, the heat pump unit 6 includes a utilization unit 60 and an outdoor unit 70 that are connected to each other via a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 76 and a gas refrigerant communication pipe 77.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fan unit 40, the gas furnace unit 50, and the utilization unit 60 of the heat pump unit 6 are integrated to form a heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30.

  The heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 has a housing 30a. Inside the housing 30a, the utilization unit 60 and the gas furnace unit 50 of the fan unit 40 and the heat pump unit 6 are accommodated in a straight line. In the present embodiment, the fan unit 40 is disposed at the lowermost position, and the gas furnace unit 50 and the utilization unit 60 are disposed side by side above the fan unit 40 in this order.

  The control interface 10 is not particularly limited, but is provided in the first room 2a of the building 1 in the present embodiment. The control interface 10 receives input of operation setting information such as a set temperature from the user. Furthermore, the control interface 10 receives instructions for starting and stopping the operation of the air conditioning system 100 from the user. Moreover, the control interface 10 has a display unit (not shown) for displaying information on the driving state. The control interface 10 is communicably connected to the main controller 20 disposed in the basement 2e.

  Although the indoor temperature sensor 62 is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the indoor temperature sensor 62 is disposed in the first room 2a of the building 1 and is located in the temperature of the first room 2a (a place away from the first outlet branch portion 31a and the first suction branch portion 39a). Temperature). The room temperature sensor 62 is connected to the main controller 20 disposed in the basement 2e, and can inform the main controller 20 of the current temperature of the first room 2a.

  The main controller 20 is based on the information received from the user via the control interface 10, the indoor temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62, the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 78 of the outdoor unit 70, and the like. The gas furnace unit 50, the fan unit 40, etc. are controlled. The main controller 20 includes a reference value memory 20a in which various predetermined reference values are stored, a history memory 20b in which information related to an operation history is stored, a CPU (not shown), and the like. The reference value memory 20a stores in advance a high reference temperature T1, a low reference temperature T2, a heating load reference value, a duty reference value, etc., which will be described later, and information on the set temperature received from the user via the control interface 10 Stored. In addition, the reference value memory 20a includes a temperature of the operation resumption condition during the cooling operation (a temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set temperature) and a temperature of the operation resumption condition during the heating operation (a predetermined value is subtracted from the set temperature). Temperature and a predetermined value of the cooling operation may be stored). The history memory 20b stores latest type information, transition information (thermo-on time), a duty ratio at the time of gas furnace heating operation, and the like each time.

  Hereinafter, the heat pump unit 6, the gas furnace unit 50, the fan unit 40, and the like will be described.

(3) Heat pump unit 6
As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump unit 6 is a vapor compression type air conditioner configured to include a use unit 60, an outdoor unit 70, a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 76, and a gas refrigerant communication pipe 77. The heat pump unit 6 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute both the cooling operation and the heating operation by switching.

  The utilization unit 60 and the outdoor unit 70 have a portion connected via a liquid refrigerant communication pipe 76 and a portion connected via a gas refrigerant communication pipe 77.

  The usage unit 60 includes a usage-side heat exchanger 61. The use side heat exchanger 61 exchanges heat between the refrigerant passing through the inside and the air passing through the outside. The use side heat exchanger 61 is arranged so as to fill a passage extending in the vertical direction inside the housing 30a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30. A liquid refrigerant communication pipe 76 is connected to one end in the use side heat exchanger 61, and a gas refrigerant communication pipe 77 is connected to the other end.

  The outdoor unit 70 is installed outside the building 1, and includes a compressor 71, a four-way switching valve 72, an outdoor heat exchanger 73, an outdoor fan 74, an electric expansion valve 75, an outdoor temperature sensor 78, and an outdoor unit controller. 79. The compressor 71 has an inverter machine that is driven using electrical energy. The compressor 71 can change a capacity | capacitance by changing the drive frequency of this inverter machine. The outdoor unit controller 79 is connected to the compressor 71 and has an inverter control unit 71a for controlling the drive frequency of the inverter machine. The outdoor heat exchanger 73 performs heat exchange between the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor fan 74 and the refrigerant flowing inside. The outdoor fan 74 has an outdoor fan motor 74a for controlling the air volume. The outdoor fan motor 74a is controlled by an outdoor unit controller 79. The electric expansion valve 75 can change the amount of refrigerant passing therethrough by changing the valve opening. The compressor 71, the four-way switching valve 72, the outdoor heat exchanger 73, the electric expansion valve 75, and the use-side heat exchanger 61 are connected to each other to form a refrigerant circuit 6a in which the refrigerant circulates. . The four-way switching valve 72 can switch the refrigerant flow direction in the refrigerant circuit 6a between the heating operation state and the cooling operation state by switching the connection state. In the heating operation state (connection state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2), the compressor 71 is driven to circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 6a, whereby the discharge side of the compressor 71, the four-way switching valve 72, the use side heat. The refrigerant flows in the order on the suction side of the exchanger 61, the electric expansion valve 75, the outdoor heat exchanger 73, the four-way switching valve 72, and the compressor 71, and the outdoor heat exchanger 61 functions as a refrigerant radiator. The heat exchanger 73 is caused to function as a refrigerant heater. Thereby, heat can be taken from the air outside the building 1 and supplied into the building 1. In the cooling operation state (connection state indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2), the compressor 71 is driven to circulate the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 6a, whereby the discharge side of the compressor 71, the four-way switching valve 72, the outdoor heat exchange. Refrigerant 73, electric expansion valve 75, use-side heat exchanger 61, four-way switching valve 72, and refrigerant 71 in this order, let the refrigerant flow in the order, and the use-side heat exchanger 61 functions as a refrigerant heater. The heat exchanger 73 is caused to function as a refrigerant radiator. Thereby, heat can be taken from the air in the building 1 to be released to the outside of the building 1. The connection state of the four-way switching valve 72 is switched by the outdoor unit controller 79.

  The outdoor temperature sensor 78 detects the temperature of outdoor air before passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 73. The temperature information detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 78 is transmitted to the outdoor unit controller 79.

  The outdoor unit controller 79 receives a command from the main controller 20, and based on the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 and the detected temperature of the outdoor temperature sensor 78, the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 approaches the set temperature. While controlling the outdoor fan motor 74a and the electric expansion valve 75, the inverter control part 71a controls the drive frequency of the compressor 71, and adjusts the capability of air conditioning.

  In addition, the heat pump unit 6 is difficult to operate efficiently and to fully demonstrate its ability, such as when the outdoor heat exchanger 73 lacks the ability to evaporate the refrigerant, such as when the outside air temperature is extremely low. Although there is an outside air temperature range, when the outside air temperature is higher than the extremely low temperature, it is possible to operate with better COP (Coefficient of Performance) than the gas furnace unit 50. Device. Here, the COP is a value obtained by dividing the heating or cooling ability Q by the consumed energy L for obtaining the ability Q.

(4) Gas furnace unit 50
As shown in FIG. 2, the gas furnace unit 50 includes a gas furnace controller 51, a fuel control valve 54, a furnace fan 56, a combustion chamber 57, a furnace heat exchanger 58, an exhaust pipe 59, and the like. It is a type heater.

  The gas furnace controller 51 is communicably connected to the main controller 20, and controls the amount of fuel that passes through the fuel adjustment valve 54 and the furnace fan motor 56 a based on a command from the main controller 20.

  The combustion chamber 57 is provided with a gas burner 57a. Fuel gas is supplied to the combustion chamber 57 via the combustion gas supply pipe 53, and air is supplied via the air supply pipe 55. Here, although it does not specifically limit as a combustion gas, For example, natural gas etc. are used.

  The combustion gas supply pipe 53 is provided with a fuel adjustment valve 54 for adjusting the amount of combustion gas supplied to the combustion chamber 57. Combustion gas is supplied to the combustion chamber 57 by opening the opening of the fuel control valve 54. The valve opening degree of the fuel adjustment valve 54 is also controlled by the gas furnace controller 51 as described above.

  A furnace fan 56 is provided between the air supply pipe 55 and the combustion chamber 57. When the furnace fan 56 is rotationally driven, air is sent to the combustion chamber 57. The furnace fan 56 includes a variable-speed furnace fan motor 56a. The furnace fan motor 56a is also controlled by the gas furnace controller 51 as described above.

  In this way, the combustion gas and air supplied to the combustion chamber 57 are mixed and burned by the gas burner 57a to generate high-temperature gas. This hot gas is sent to the furnace heat exchanger 58.

  The furnace heat exchanger 58 is disposed in the housing 30 a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 and vertically below the use unit 60. The furnace heat exchanger 58 exchanges heat between the heating gas passing through the inside and the air passing outside through the housing 30a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30 upward. Thereby, the air that has passed through the outside of the furnace heat exchanger 58 is warmed.

  The exhaust pipe 59 is connected to the end of the furnace heat exchanger 58 opposite to the combustion chamber 57 side. An exhaust header 59 a is provided at a connection portion of the exhaust pipe 59 with the furnace heat exchanger 58.

(5) Fan unit 40
As shown in FIG. 2, the fan unit 40 is disposed below the furnace heat exchanger 58 of the utilization unit 60 and the gas furnace unit 50 in the housing 30a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30, and is installed in the housing 30a. And a common fan 41 for generating an air flow from bottom to top.

  In the common fan 41, the furnace heat exchanger 58 of the gas furnace unit 50 and the use side heat exchanger 61 of the use unit 60 are arranged in a straight line in the flow path in the housing 30a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30. Yes. Thereby, it is possible to supply an air flow to both the furnace heat exchanger 58 of the gas furnace unit 50 and the use side heat exchanger 61 of the use unit 60 only by driving the common fan 41. . That is, it is not necessary to separately provide a fan corresponding to the furnace heat exchanger 58 of the gas furnace unit 50 and a fan corresponding to the use side heat exchanger 61 of the use unit 60.

  The common fan 41 includes a variable speed common fan motor 41a, and can adjust the amount of air passing through the housing 30a of the heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30. The common fan motor 41a is controlled by the main controller 20.

(6) Control of air conditioning system 100 In the air conditioning system 100, the main controller 20 controls the cooling operation and the heating operation. Here, in control of heating operation, control at the time of heating start-up and control at the time of heating thermo-on are performed.

(6-1) Control of cooling operation In the air conditioning system 100, during the cooling operation, the operation of the gas furnace unit 50 is stopped, and the heat pump unit 6 is driven in a state where the four-way switching valve 72 is switched to the cooling operation state. Then, by driving the common fan 41 of the fan unit 40, cold air is supplied to the first to fourth rooms 2a to 2d.

  Here, in the compressor 71, the outdoor fan motor 74a, the electric expansion valve 75, and the common fan motor 41a of the heat pump unit 6, the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 approaches the set temperature based on the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62. In this way, the main controller 20 and the outdoor unit controller 79 are controlled.

  Note that the air conditioning system 100 is activated by receiving an activation input from the user in the control interface 10 and completely stopped by receiving an input of the stop from the user (that is, the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 is set). Even when the temperature is not reached, the fan unit 40, the heat pump unit 6, and the gas furnace unit 50 are all not driven regardless of the relationship.

  Hereinafter, the start-up of the cooling operation control and the resumption of operation will be described.

(6-1-1) Control of cooling operation at start-up In the cooling operation at start-up, control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 10, it is determined whether the main controller 20 has received an activation input from the user in the control interface 10. If the activation input is not accepted, the system waits until the activation input is accepted. If an activation input is accepted, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the outdoor unit controller 79 drives the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a until the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 reaches a set temperature (until the thermo is turned off) from the time of startup, and the electric expansion valve 75 The main controller 20 drives the common fan motor 41a while performing the opening degree control.

  In step S12, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the control interface 10 has received a stop input from the user. If no stop input has been received, the process proceeds to step S13. When the stop input is received, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S13, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 has reached the set temperature. If the set temperature has been reached, the process proceeds to step S14. If not, the process returns to step S12.

  In step S14, when the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 reaches the set temperature (thermo-off), the outdoor unit controller 79 temporarily stops the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a, and the main controller 20 detects the common fan motor. 41a is temporarily stopped (that is, when the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 is higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value (when the operation restart condition is satisfied), the fan unit 40 and the heat pump unit 6 are restarted. Keep it stopped until the previous stage.)

  In step S15, the outdoor unit controller 79 completely stops driving the heat pump unit 6, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a.

(6-1-2) Control of cooling operation when operation is restarted When the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 is higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value (when the operation restart condition is satisfied), FIG. As shown in the flowchart, the cooling operation is performed when the operation is resumed.

  In the cooling operation when the operation is restarted, the same control as that at the start of the cooling operation is performed as follows. In step S20, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 62 has detected a temperature that is higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value (whether or not the operation restart condition has been satisfied). Here, when the operation resumption condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the outdoor unit controller 79 drives the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a again, and the main controller 20 drives the common fan motor 41a again while controlling the opening degree of the electric expansion valve 75.

  In step S22, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the control interface 10 has received a stop input from the user. If no stop input is accepted, the process proceeds to step S23. If a stop input is accepted, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S23, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 has reached the set temperature. If the set temperature has been reached, the process proceeds to step S24. If not, the process returns to step S22.

  In step S24, when the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 reaches the set temperature (thermo-off), the outdoor unit controller 79 temporarily stops the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a, and the main controller 20 detects the common fan motor. 41a is temporarily stopped, and it returns to step S20 and repeats. In step S25, the outdoor unit controller 79 completely stops driving the heat pump unit 6, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a.

(6-2) Control of heating operation In the air conditioning system 100, during the heating operation, either one of the gas furnace unit 50 and the heat pump unit 6 is used to create warm air and drive the common fan 41 of the fan unit 40. Hot air is supplied to the first to fourth rooms 2a to 2d.

  Here, when it is difficult to operate the heat pump unit 6 efficiently, or when the outside air temperature becomes extremely low, or when the heating load is large, it is difficult to sufficiently display the capacity. 6 is stopped, and the gas furnace heating operation in which only the gas furnace unit 50 is driven is performed. On the other hand, the gas furnace unit 50 is stopped and the heat pump unit 6 only when the heat pump unit 6 can be operated efficiently and the outside temperature is sufficient to fully display the capacity or the heating load is small. The heat pump heating operation driven by is performed. This extremely low temperature, that is, an outside air temperature that is so low that it is difficult to operate the heat pump unit 6 efficiently or to fully exert its capacity, is preset as a high reference temperature T1 and is a reference value memory. 20a. Here, although the temperature is lower than the extremely low temperature (high reference temperature T1), it is possible to operate the heat pump unit 6 more efficiently as compared with the case where the gas furnace unit 50 is operated. There is a case where is small. In this way, when the heating load is small, the reference temperature that gives priority to the operation of the heat pump unit 6 is preset as the low reference temperature T2 that is lower than the high reference temperature T1 and stored in the reference value memory 20a. Has been. In addition, when the heat pump unit 6 performs the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 72 is driven in a state of being switched to the heating operation state.

  Here, during the gas furnace heating operation, the fuel control valve 54 and the furnace fan motor 56a are configured so that the main controller 20 and the furnace temperature sensor 62 and the furnace fan motor 56a are set to approach the set temperature based on the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62. It is controlled by the gas furnace controller 51.

  Further, during the heat pump heating operation, the compressor 71, the outdoor fan motor 74a, the electric expansion valve 75, and the common fan motor 41a are configured such that the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 approaches the set temperature based on the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62. In this way, the main controller 20 and the outdoor unit controller 79 are controlled.

  As in the cooling operation, the air conditioning system 100 starts when the control interface 10 receives a start input from the user, and completely stops when a stop input from the user is received (that is, the room temperature). Even when the detected temperature of the sensor 62 is not the set temperature, the fan unit 40, the heat pump unit 6, and the gas furnace unit 50 are all not driven regardless of the relationship. To do.)

  Hereinafter, the heating operation control startup and the operation resumption will be described.

(6-2-1) Control of heating operation at start-up In the heating operation at start-up, control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S30, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the control interface 10 has received an activation input from the user. If the activation input is not accepted, the system waits until the activation input is accepted. If an activation input is accepted, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 78 is equal to or higher than the high reference temperature T1 stored in the reference value memory 20a. If it is determined that the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the high reference temperature T1, the process proceeds to step S32. If it is determined that the outside air temperature is not equal to or higher than the high reference temperature T1, the process proceeds to step S33. . In addition, since it is estimated that the heating load is large in the heating operation at the time of start-up, the operation of the heat pump unit 6 is not performed when the heating load at the outside air temperature lower than the cryogenic temperature is small.

  In step S32, the main controller 20 determines that it is more efficient to drive the heat pump unit 6 than the outside air temperature is not lower than the extremely low temperature, and instead of driving the gas furnace unit 50, the heat pump unit 6 is driven. To drive the heat pump. In the heat pump heating operation, the outdoor unit controller 79 drives the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a to control the opening degree of the electric expansion valve 75 so that the indoor temperature becomes the set temperature. The common fan motor 41a is driven. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S33, the main controller 20 determines that it is better to ensure the heating capacity by driving the gas furnace unit 50 without driving the heat pump unit 6 because the outside air temperature is lower than the cryogenic temperature. The gas furnace heating operation is performed by driving the gas furnace unit 50 instead of driving the heat pump unit 6. In the gas furnace heating operation, the gas controller 51 controls the opening of the fuel control valve 54 while driving the furnace fan motor 56a so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature, while the main controller 20 operates the common fan motor. 41a is driven. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the control interface 10 has received a stop input from the user. If no stop input has been received, the process proceeds to step S35. When the stop input is received, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S35, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 has reached the set temperature. Here, if the set temperature has been reached, the type of heating operation being performed at that time (latest type information) and the time when the set temperature is reached for the first time after starting the heat pump heating operation in step S32 The length of time required (thermo-on time as part of the transition information) or the length of time required to reach the set temperature for the first time after starting the gas furnace heating operation in step S33 (thermo-on as part of the transition information) Time) is stored in the history memory 20b of the main controller 20, and the process proceeds to step S36. If the set temperature has not been reached, the process returns to step S34.

  In step S36, when the heat pump heating operation has been performed, the outdoor unit controller 79 temporarily turns on the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a when the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 reaches the set temperature (thermo-off). Until the main controller 20 temporarily stops the common fan motor 41a (that is, until the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 is lower than the set temperature by a predetermined value (conditions for restarting operation)). In addition, when the gas furnace heating operation is performed, the gas furnace controller 51 causes the furnace fan motor 56a to detect the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 62 reaching the set temperature (thermo-off). Is temporarily stopped and the main controller 20 Temporarily stops the 41a (i.e., the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature lower by a predetermined value than the set temperature to (restarting operation condition is satisfied), to maintain the stop state.).

  In step S37, when the heat pump heating operation has been performed, the outdoor unit controller 79 completely stops the driving of the heat pump unit 6, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a. When the gas furnace heating operation is performed, the gas furnace controller 51 completely stops the driving of the gas furnace unit 50, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a.

(6-2-2) Control of heating operation when operation is resumed In the heating operation when operation is resumed, control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S40, the temperature of the first space 2a gradually decreases due to the completion of the heating operation at the time of start-up, and the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 62 is a predetermined value (a value during cooling is lower than the set temperature). The main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature has decreased by a certain amount. Here, when it is determined that the room temperature has decreased, the process proceeds to step S41. When the gas furnace heating operation is performed at this time, the main controller 20 stores the duty ratio at the time of the gas furnace heating operation in the history memory 20b. The duty ratio at the time of gas furnace heating operation is the length of time required to reach the set temperature for the first time from the start of gas furnace heating operation, or the start of the next gas furnace heating operation or the heat pump. The ratio value obtained by dividing by the length of time until the start of heating operation.

  In step S41, based on the latest type information stored in the history memory 20b, the main controller 20 determines whether the operation at the time of reaching the previous set temperature was the heat pump heating operation or the gas furnace heating operation. to decide. If the previous operation was a heat pump heating operation, the process proceeds to step S42. When the previous operation is not the heat pump heating operation, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S42, the main controller 20 obtains a future heating load (predicted heating load value) predicted at the present time based on the transition information stored in the history memory 20b. And the main controller 20 judges whether the calculated | required heating load estimated value is smaller than the predetermined heating load reference value. If the predicted heating load value is smaller than the heating load reference value, the process proceeds to step S45. If not, the process proceeds to step S46. Here, the transition information is information indicating a change in the thermo-on time for a plurality of recent consecutive times (in this embodiment, for example, three times) stored in the history memory 20b. The transition information includes information on the latest thermo-on time and information on thermo-on times for a plurality of consecutive times other than the latest. Based on the transition information, the main controller 20 grasps that the thermo-on time has been long, and predicts that the future heating load (heating load expected value) expected at the present time is large, and the thermo-on time has been short. It is predicted that the future heating load (heating load expected value) expected at the present time is small. Further, the heating load reference value is stored in the reference value memory 20a in advance as a reference for determining which one is more efficient when the heat pump heating operation is performed or when the gas furnace heating operation is performed. Specifically, the heating load reference value may be used as a reference for determining that it is preferable to perform the heat pump heating operation because the frequency of starting and stopping is too high if the gas furnace heating operation having a large heating capacity is performed. it can.

  In step S43, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 78 is equal to or higher than the high reference temperature T1. The high reference temperature T1 is the same as the high reference temperature of the heating operation at the time of startup. If it is determined that the outside air temperature is higher than the high reference temperature T1, the process proceeds to step S45. If it is determined that the outside air temperature is not higher than the high reference temperature T1, the process proceeds to step S44. .

  In step S44, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the outdoor temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 78 is equal to or higher than the low reference temperature T2, and the duty ratio during the latest gas furnace heating operation is smaller than the duty reference value. Judging. Here, the low reference temperature T2 is a temperature that is lower than the high reference temperature T1, and is a judgment reference temperature indicating that the heat pump heating operation is more efficient than the gas furnace heating operation when the heating load is small. . Further, the duty reference value is a value serving as a reference for determining that the gas furnace heating operation is preferable to the heat pump heating operation because the heating load is large when the value is larger than this. That is, the large duty ratio during the most recent gas furnace heating operation means that the time interval from the start of the gas furnace heating operation or the heat pump heating operation to the next start is relatively short, and the time during which the heating operation is performed Since it will be relatively long, it can be estimated that the heating operation is large, and control can be performed so as to maintain the gas furnace heating operation. If the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the low reference temperature T2 and the duty ratio during the most recent gas furnace heating operation is smaller than the duty reference value, the process proceeds to step S45. The process proceeds to S46.

  In step S45, the main controller 20 is more efficient to drive the heat pump unit 6 because the outside air temperature is higher than the high reference temperature T1 or the outside air temperature is higher than the low reference temperature T2 and the heating load is small. Therefore, the heat pump heating operation is performed by driving the heat pump unit 6 instead of driving the gas furnace unit 50. In the heat pump heating operation, the outdoor unit controller 79 drives the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a to control the opening degree of the electric expansion valve 75 so that the indoor temperature becomes the set temperature. The common fan motor 41a is driven. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S46, the main controller 20 should ensure the heating capacity by driving the gas furnace unit 50 without driving the heat pump unit 6 because the outside air temperature is lower than the low reference temperature T2 or the heating load is large. It is judged that there is, and the gas furnace heating operation is performed by driving the gas furnace unit 50 instead of driving the heat pump unit 6. In the gas furnace heating operation, the gas controller 51 controls the opening of the fuel control valve 54 while driving the furnace fan motor 56a so that the room temperature becomes the set temperature, while the main controller 20 operates the common fan motor. 41a is driven. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S <b> 47, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the control interface 10 has received a stop input from the user. If no stop input has been received, the process proceeds to step 48. When the stop input is accepted, the process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S48, the main controller 20 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 62 has reached the set temperature. Here, if the set temperature has been reached, the type of heating operation (latest type information) currently performed is stored (overwritten) in the history memory 20b of the main controller 20, and the heat pump heating operation is performed in step S45. The time required to reach the set temperature for the first time after starting the operation (thermo-on time as part of the transition information) or the time required to reach the set temperature for the first time after starting the gas furnace heating operation in step S46 The time length (thermo-on time as part of the transition information) is stored in the history memory 20b of the main controller 20, and the process proceeds to step S50. If the set temperature has not been reached, the process returns to step S47.

  In step S50, when the heat pump heating operation has been performed, the outdoor unit controller 79 temporarily turns on the compressor 71 and the outdoor fan motor 74a when the detected temperature of the indoor temperature sensor 62 reaches the set temperature (thermo-off). Until the main controller 20 temporarily stops the common fan motor 41a (that is, until the temperature detected by the indoor temperature sensor 62 is lower than the set temperature by a predetermined value (conditions for restarting operation)). In addition, when the gas furnace heating operation is performed, the gas furnace controller 51 causes the furnace fan motor 56a to detect the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 62 reaching the set temperature (thermo-off). Is temporarily stopped and the main controller 20 Temporarily stops the 41a (i.e., the detected temperature of the room temperature sensor 62 detects the temperature lower by a predetermined value than the set temperature to (restarting operation condition is satisfied), to maintain the stop state.).

  In step S50, when the heat pump heating operation has been performed, the outdoor unit controller 79 completely stops the driving of the heat pump unit 6, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a. When the gas furnace heating operation is performed, the gas furnace controller 51 completely stops the driving of the gas furnace unit 50, and the main controller 20 completely stops the common fan motor 41a. Then, it returns to step S40 and repeats a process.

(7) Features of this embodiment (7-1)
In the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, both the gas furnace unit 50 that can cope with a situation where the outside air temperature is extremely low or the heating load is large, and the heat pump unit 6 with high operating efficiency can be selectively used. Therefore, load processing can be performed even when the outside air temperature is extremely low or the heating load is large, and efficient operation can be performed when the outside air temperature is not extremely low or the heating load is small. It becomes possible.

  In the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, the processing at the time of starting and the time of restarting the operation are substantially the same during the cooling operation, but during the heating operation, the control of the heating operation at the time of starting and the operation at the time of restarting the operation are performed. The heating operation control is provided differently. Then, when resuming the heating operation, a device to be driven when resuming the operation is selected based on the past operation situation. For this reason, it is possible to perform an operation for improving the coefficient of performance (COP) while processing the current heating load from the beginning when the operation is resumed and suppressing the energy consumption as small as possible based on the past history. . For example, even when the outdoor temperature is extremely low, if the heating temperature is lower than the low reference temperature T2 and the heating load is small, the heat pump heating operation with the highest operating efficiency is performed. So, the coefficient of performance can be increased.

(7-2)
Further, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the outdoor temperature is extremely low, when the heating load is small when the temperature is the low reference temperature T2 or higher, the gas furnace heating operation is not performed. By performing heat pump heating operation with good operation efficiency, it is possible to suppress the frequency of starting and stopping the heating operation.

(7-3)
Furthermore, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, the future heating load can be predicted from the time point when the operation resumption condition is satisfied based on the transition information that is the history information of the recent thermo-off time. In the air conditioning system 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to select a device to be operated at the time of resuming operation so that the predicted heating load can be processed with less energy consumption.

(7-4)
Further, in the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, the gas furnace unit 50 includes the fuel adjustment valve 54 that adjusts the supply amount of the combustion gas to the gas burner 57a. For this reason, in the state where the gas furnace heating operation is performed, it is possible to adjust the heating capacity in detail while processing a large heating load.

  And in the air conditioning system 100 which concerns on this embodiment, the heat pump unit 6 has the compressor 71 which can adjust a capability by inverter control. For this reason, in the state where the heat pump heating operation is performed, it is possible to adjust the heating capacity in detail while performing an efficient operation.

(7-5)
In the air conditioning system 100 according to the present embodiment, the amount of air that passes through the use-side heat exchanger 61 of the heat pump unit 6 and the amount of air that passes through the furnace heat exchanger 58 of the gas furnace unit 50 are 1 It can be adjusted by two common fans 41. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a fan for the heat pump unit 6 and a fan for the gas furnace unit 50, and the apparatus can be made compact.

(8) Other embodiments (8-1)
In the above embodiment, the case where the fan unit 40, the gas furnace unit 50, and the utilization unit 60 are arranged in this order from the bottom has been described.

  However, the arrangement order of these elements is not particularly limited. For example, the fan unit may be disposed on the downstream side of the utilization unit or the gas furnace unit, or may be disposed between the utilization unit and the gas furnace unit. Further, the arrangement order of the utilization unit and the gas furnace unit may be different from the arrangement order in the air flow direction, and the gas furnace unit may be arranged on the downstream side of the utilization unit.

  In addition, for example, the use unit and the gas furnace unit are not provided side by side in the air flow direction, and a flow path switching mechanism or the like is provided, so that air is supplied to only one side of the use unit and the gas furnace unit. You may be comprised so that it may pass.

(8-2)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the transition information is configured by the history of the thermo-on time has been described.

  However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, for the heat pump heating operation in the transition information, not only the history information of the thermo-off time but also the information of the drive frequency of the compressor 71 that is controlled by the inverter at that time It may be added. That is, even when the thermo-on time is the same, the history information may be handled so that it is evaluated that the heating load increases as the drive frequency of the compressor 71 at the thermo-on time increases.

(8-3)
In the embodiment described above, the case where the selection between the heat pump heating operation and the gas furnace heating operation at the time of restarting the operation is determined based on the transition information that is the history of the recent thermo-on time has been described.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the history memory 20b of the main controller 20, information other than information on the most recent heat pump heating operation and gas furnace heating operation is used as information on the past heat pump heating operation and gas furnace heating operation. Periodic driving information may be stored. The periodical driving information is not particularly limited. For example, the period may be at least one of “day” unit, “week” unit, “month” unit, “season” unit, “year” unit, and the like. it can.

  The main controller 20 may predict a heating load at the time of restarting operation based on periodic operation information stored in the history memory 20b, and may select a device to be driven based on the prediction. For example, when the cycle is in units of “days”, the time zone average of the heating load in the past several days is obtained from the history, and the driving is resumed so as to correspond to the time zone average of the heating load. You may make it select an apparatus. In addition, for example, when the cycle is set to “week”, the time zone average of the heating load on a specific day of the past several weeks is obtained from the history, and the time zone average of the heating load on the day of the week when the operation is resumed is determined. The device to be driven when the operation is resumed may be selected.

(8-4)
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the type of heating operation to be started when operation is restarted is selected based on the transition information.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when information on recent driving history is compared with information on past driving history, and driving history similar to information on recent driving history has existed in the past, A heating load at the time of resuming the current operation may be predicted based on the operation history, and the type of heating operation to be selected at the time of resuming the operation may be selected. For example, for the operation history of the heat pump heating operation for the recent several hours, an operation history with the smallest error in the time zone in which the heat pump heating operation is performed is specified, and the heating load at the time of restarting the current operation is specified in the operation history Therefore, the type of heating operation selected when resuming operation may be selected. Further, not only the operation history but also a history item of the outside air temperature may be taken into consideration to specify the most similar operation history.

(8-5)
In the said embodiment, the case where the kind of heating operation which starts at the time of restarting operation is selected based on the latest transition information is described, and in the other embodiment (8-3), based on periodic operation information other than the latest. The case of selecting the type of heating operation that starts when the operation is resumed has been described.

  On the other hand, for example, by weighting the latest transition information and periodic driving information other than the latest, when restarting operation using both the latest transition information and the periodic driving information other than the latest The type of heating operation to be started may be selected.

  The air conditioning system according to the present invention is particularly useful in the case where the operation efficiency is increased while processing a heating load using either a heat pump or a gas furnace.

1 Building 2a-2d 1st-4th Room 2e Basement 6 Heat Pump Unit (Heat Pump)
20 Main controller (control unit)
30 heat pump gas furnace integrated unit 30a housing 40 fan unit 41 common fan (blower)
41a Common fan motor 50 Gas furnace unit (gas furnace)
51 Gas furnace controller 53 Combustion gas supply pipe 55 Air supply pipe 56 Furnace fan 57 Combustion chamber 57a Gas burner 58 Furnace heat exchanger (heater)
60 Usage unit 61 Usage side heat exchanger (heatsink)
62 Indoor temperature sensor 70 Outdoor unit 71 Compressor 72 Four-way switching valve 73 Outdoor heat exchanger 74 Outdoor fan 74a Outdoor fan motor 75 Electric expansion valve 76 Liquid refrigerant communication pipe 77 Gas refrigerant communication pipe 78 Outdoor temperature sensor 79 Outdoor unit controller 100 Air conditioning system

JP-A 64-54160

Claims (5)

An air conditioning system (100) capable of heating a room,
A heat pump (6) including a refrigerant radiator (61) and a compressor (71) capable of capacity control;
A gas furnace (50) including a heater (58) by combustion;
A blower (41) for blowing air that has passed through the radiator (61) and the heater (58) into the room;
A control unit (20) that performs operation control by selecting one of the heat pump and the gas furnace so as to satisfy a preset temperature condition in the room;
With
The controller is
When the set temperature condition is satisfied, control is performed so that the operation of both the heat pump and the gas furnace is stopped, and then the operation restart condition is satisfied, based on the operation history information Select one of the heat pump and the gas furnace to resume operation.
Air conditioning system (100). The operation history information includes the latest type information that identifies one of the types of the heat pump and the gas furnace that were being operated when the latest set temperature condition was satisfied,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1. The operation history information includes transition information that is information regarding operation when the set temperature condition is satisfied and then when the operation resumption condition is satisfied, and is information for a plurality of consecutive past times including the latest. ing,
The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2. The operation history information does not include information for specifying one of the heat pump and the gas furnace that has been operated when the most recent set temperature condition is satisfied, and at least the most recent setting. Period information including information identifying one of the types of the heat pump and the gas furnace that was operated at a time point older than the time point when the temperature condition was satisfied is included,
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. When the heating load can be processed only by the heat pump, only the heat pump is operated without operating the gas furnace,
When the heating load cannot be processed only by the heat pump, it is configured to operate only the gas furnace without operating the heat pump.
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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